CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION
OPENING CEREMONIES
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairman Wolfe called a meeting of the La Habra Heights Planning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 1245 North Hacienda Road, La Habra Heights, California.
2. ROLL CALL
Those present: Chairman Robert Wolfe, Vice-Chairman Brian Bergman, Commissioners Larry Black, Robert Karman, Margarita McCoy and Alternate Commissioner Steven Garcia. Also present Interim Community Development Director Sandra Massa-Lavitt, Planning Technician Barbara Doppieri, Deputy City Engineer Patrick Lang and City Attorney Sandra Levin.
FLAG SALUTE
Robert Karman led the flag salute.
4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF POSTING OF AGENDA FOR MEETING OF
January 27, 2004
Ms. Massa-Lavitt stated the agenda had been posted.
5. ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC NOT ON THE AGENDA 3-minute time limit per speaker
Chairman Wolfe asked if anyone wanted to speak on anything not on the agenda, seeing no one come forward he closed the public hearing.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of December 23, 2003
Commissioner McCoy moved to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Karman.
Ayes: Bergman, Black, Karman, McCoy and Wolfe.
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Revision of Minutes for 11-7-02
Commissioner Black moved to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Karman.
Ayes: Bergman, Black, Karman, McCoy and Wolfe.
Noes: None
Absent None
Abstain: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS – OLD BUSINESS
7. STANDARDS MODIFICATION 2003-32 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2003-02 (Seifollahi)) 357 Avocado Crest
Ms. Massa-Lavitt stated this was a project that the Commission saw in November; the applicant has agreed to redesign the home; the applicant has asked for additional time to finish this design; staff asked to have this application continued to February 24, 2004.
Chairman Wolfe asked if anyone from the public would like to speak on this project. Seeing no one come forward he closed the public hearing and asked the Commissions pleasure.
Commissioner McCoy recommended denying the project instead of granting a continuance.
Vice-Chairman Bergman moved to continue this item to the February 24, 2004 meeting. Seconded by Chairman Wolfe.
Ayes: Bergman, Black, Karman and Wolfe.
Noes: McCoy
Absent None
Abstain: None
8. STANDARDS MODIFICATION 2003-15 (Devey) 1552 Vista Del Valle
Chairman Wolfe recused himself, because he lives within 500 feet of this site.
Vice-Chairman Bergman took the chair and asked for a staff report.
Ms. Massa-Lavitt stated this item was continued from the last meeting; applicant revised his plans; in order to comply with impervious surface calculations for this property the applicant did remove some of the impervious surface area from his driveway; staff recommends approval of Standards Modification 2003-15.
Vice-Chairman Bergman then opened the public hearing.
Wayne Devey, Vista Del Valle stated this is the third time he has revised the plans; stated there is no view impairment.
Mrs. Devey, Vista Del Valle stated they are trying to make it work for everyone.
Vice-Chairman Bergman seeing no one else come forward closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Karman stated this was a substantial addition.
Commissioner McCoy asked about sanitation.
Ms. Massa-Lavitt stated the applicant would be conditioned to provide for septic system through the Building DepartmentÕs Plan Check.
Commissioner Black asked how much of the view was restored to the neighbor.
Ms. Massa-Lavitt stated there was no way to determine how much of the view was restored.
Vice-Chairman Bergman reopened the public hearing.
Zach Brown, West Road – stated this is a better plan if the story poles are correct.
Vice-Chairman Bergman again closed the public hearing.
Vice-Chairman Bergman asked about the impervious coverage.
Ms. Massa-Lavitt stated the City Engineer did not complete his evaluation, but felt it was much closer than it was and would be acceptable if the calculations were correct.
Commissioner McCoy questioned gravel in driveway.
Mr. Devey stated all the gravel is coming up; gravel was only a temporary fix.
Vice-Chairman Bergman stated the applicant had done a good job working with the neighbors; wanted project conditioned that the height and width be verified before the project enters plan check.
Commissioner Karman stated he did not feel the story poles were 14 feet wide.
Ms. Massa-Lavitt suggested a condition that the height and width must be verified before entering Plan Check; she stated if there were a problem the Commission would be seeing this project again.
Commissioner Karman moved to approve Standards Modification 2003-15 with the additional conditions the Commission discussed. Seconded by Commissioner Garcia.
Ayes: Bergman, Black, Garcia, Karman and McCoy.
Noes: None
Absent None
Abstain: Wolfe
Chairman Wolfe retook the chair.
9. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2003-05 & STANDARDS MODIFICATION 2002-14 (Rodriguez) 2110 Fullerton Road
Ms. Massa-Lavitt stated the applicant has not submitted new plans; she met with them tonight and now they understand what they must do; she asked for a continuance until next monthÕs meeting.
Chairman Wolfe asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak on this item seeing none he asked for the CommissionÕs pleasure.
Commissioner Black moved to continue this item to February 24, 2004. Seconded by Vice-Chairman Bergman.
Ayes: Bergman, Black, Karman, McCoy and Wolfe.
Noes: None
Absent None
Abstain: None
PUBLIC HEARING – NEW BUSINESS
10. STANDARDS MODIFICATION 2003-31 (Hill) Casalero
Ms. Massa-Lavitt presented the staff report stating this application include a new pool, patio, stairs, decking, retaining walls and a bathroom on a parcel that has more than a 52% slope; part of the new construction would encroach into the front yard setback; the slope of 52% limits the develop ability of the lot in terms of the accessory uses; the original house exceeded the impervious surfaces when it was built; staff asked the Commission to discuss impervious surface for clarification of whether it is aesthetic or drainage; staff was recommending continuance but the applicant wanted to bring it to the Commission this evening for your consideration.
Chairman Wolfe asked if the Commission had any questions of staff.
Commissioner McCoy stated she was concerned with the road and utility easements; didnÕt there need to be clearances from the utilities.
Chairman Wolfe opened the public hearing.
David Hill, Casalero – gave a presentation on his project.
Alternate Commissioner Garcia asked the height of the retaining wall supporting the pool.
Mr. Hill stated approximately 14-16 feet; steps will go in front of the retaining wall.
Vice-Chairman Bergman asked if the applicant was aware of the constraints when he purchased the property.
Mr. Hill stated no, he did know it was a steep lot.
Commissioner Black asked about the pool safety fence; will it encroach into the shoulder of the road.
Mr. Hill stated it was set back at least 2 feet.
Chairman Wolfe spoke regarding the percentages
John Beau, Casalero – stated aesthetically there is a mature hedge to protect the view of the pool; urged the approval of this application.
Chairman Wolfe seeing no one else come forward closed the public hearing.
Chairman Wolfe stated he this impervious coverage is for both aesthetics and run off; 92% of this property is left natural and preserves the rural character of the City; property does not appear to have a run off issue; canÕt be seen from the street; did not feel it impacts anyone.
Commissioner McCoy stated you couldnÕt see anything; only concern is with the easement.
Commissioner Karman stated the challenges with this property are substantial; he stated he was OK with this project.
Vice-Chairman Bergman stated this was a very difficult project; wants the landscaping maintained along the roadway.
Commissioner Black felt there was no issue with this case.
Commissioner Wolfe stated he had no issues with the project.
Alternate Commissioner Garcia stated this was a handsome project; concerned re the pool fencing.
Chairman Wolfe stated he wants a landscape plan as a condition of approval.
Vice-Chairman Bergman moved to approve SM 2003-31 with the additional condition. Commissioner McCoy seconded the motion.
Ayes: Bergman, Black, Karman, McCoy and Wolfe.
Noes: None
Absent None
Abstain: None
11. Policy Determination – Impervious surface
Ms. Massa-Lavitt she would like the Commission to help her prepare a policy determination so that we can include it in the code book and the handouts, so it is perfectly clear to staff and the public what is meant by this section of the code that refers to impervious surface and lot coverage.
Chairman Wolfe stated he did not think impervious coverage relates to an aesthetic issue at all; impervious coverage relates to a storm drain runoff issue; to preserve the rural character of the City is an aesthetic issue; to minimize storm drain issue.
Commissioner Karman every project is different.
Chairman Wolfe stated he did not see how using the average slope of the lot to form the calculation preserves the rural character of the City, unless we want to preserve our hillsides.
Commissioner Black stated a flat lot could have more concrete and the surrounding neighbors could be looking down on all that concrete and that is not preserving the rural character of the City; who is going to be affected if we have a six inch rain storm.
Commissioner Karman stated it comes back to each individual lot; there are many engineering options and with enough money you can come up with a solution.
Commissioner McCoy stated everything works together to be our community; engineering should be a last resort to handling storm water; so much of the natural space is maintaining the environmental balance.
Mr. Lang explained the S.U.S.M.P. requirements.
Vice-Chairman Bergman stated the authors of our codes did this for a very good reason; maybe there could be better formulas; it all has to be weighed.
Commissioner Black stated these two issues need to be separated out.
ITEMS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Vice-Chairman Bergman again asked to have the interpretation of Grading put on the agenda.
ITEMS FROM STAFF
Vice-Chairman Bergman and Commissioner McCoy will be going to the PlannerÕs Institute.
Chairman Wolfe gave his condolences to the family of Les Doolittle on his passing.
Ms. Massa-Lavitt stated the Golf Club application is not yet read; she asked to bring the BSI application to the Commission during its special meeting of February 10, 2004; spoke regarding the General Plan and the EIR; Request for Proposal (RFP) circulated to Implement the General Plan. (Zoning Ordinance); Study Session – Lynch Specific Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice-Chairman Bergman moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:29 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Black and approved as follows:
AYES: Bergman, Black, Karman, McCoy, and Wolfe
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Robert Wolfe, Chairman
ATTEST:
Sandra Massa-Lavitt, Interim Community Development Director